But finishing in pole position would see his side avoiding the Champions League teams who had failed to get through the group stages.

He therefore named the strongest side available to him - the same that started last week's 2-1 win over Celta Vigo - with Obafemi Martins - at 22, the most senior of his seven substitutes - left on the bench.

Frankfurt set off at a blistering pace, although it was Newcastle who had the first real opportunity.

After Albert Luque was bundled to the ground by Marko Rehmer, Emre curled in a free-kick which Charles N'Zogbia met unmarked at the far post.

But rather than go for goal, the Frenchman headed back across the penalty area and the German team cleared to safety.

After six minutes, Eintracht's Ioannis Amanatidis beat Titus Bramble in the air but the defender recovered well to block Naohiro Takahara's shot before Steven Taylor also denied Christoph Spycher from the rebound.

The home side should really have taken the lead in the 24th minute when Marcus Weissenberger's cross was met by Albert Streit, but Given blocked his header instinctively with his feet from point-blank range.

Newcastle were caught out again seconds later when Takahara's cross was met by Amanatidis, but his header flew over leaving Streit, far better placed behind him, screaming in frustration.

Amanatidis then blasted over from the edge of the penalty area on 31 minutes and Bramble was forced to make a vital challenge to keep out the same player seconds later.

At the other end Emre lashed a left-foot free-kick which flew just wide on the stroke of half-time after Spycher had been penalised for a foul on Luque.

Frankfurt came flying out of the traps again in the second half, with Amanatidis somehow failing to connect with another teasing cross from Takahara.

Martins replaced Luque on 59 minutes and immediately gave Newcastle hope when his cross was met by Sibierski's header, only to be blocked by Marko Rehmer.

Eintracht continued to try to breach the Magpies defence but the visitors held on.

It maintained their record of never having lost to German opposition in European football in five matches.

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder:"At times, we had a little bit of good fortune, but after what has happened to us at times this year, no-one will deny me or the team the point.

"It has been a magnificent effort by a squad that is severely ravaged by injuries to finish with 10 points with three wins and a draw.

"It would have been nice to have won the game, but at the end of the day, 0-0 was good enough and we are satisfied with that."